An international campaign awaits the David Hayes-trained Nicconi after his blistering win in the Group One Lightning Stakes at Flemington.The four-year-old was Hayes' sole runner in the 1000 metre sprint after stablemate Irish Lights' owners Coolmore Stud ordered the scratching of the filly on Friday.Coolmore had all but finalised a deal to buy Lightning rival Starspangledbanner and did not want him to clash with Irish Lights.Starspangledbanner, trained by Leon Corstens, finished fourth but had

An international campaign awaits the David Hayes-trained Nicconi after his blistering win in the Group One Lightning Stakes at Flemington.

The four-year-old was Hayes' sole runner in the 1000 metre sprint after stablemate Irish Lights' owners Coolmore Stud ordered the scratching of the filly on Friday.

Coolmore had all but finalised a deal to buy Lightning rival Starspangledbanner and did not want him to clash with Irish Lights.

Starspangledbanner, trained by Leon Corstens, finished fourth but had no match for the sizzling finish of Nicconi.

The entire settled towards the rear for Damien Oliver and powered home to defeat Wanted with Shellscrape third.

Hayes, who rated Nicconi the best sprinter he had trained, confirmed the horse would have one more start in Melbourne before he headed to Royal Ascot in England for the King's Stand Stakes.

"I think it was as good a Lightning as we've seen in the last three or four years," Hayes said.

"I've said for a long time he is definitely the best sprinter I've trained."

Oliver, who won his fifth Lightning and first since 2000 when he was successful aboard Testa Rossa, rated Nicconi an ideal type for the Group One King's Stand Stakes.

"He's got a great turn of foot," Oliver said.

"The way he can reel off a great sectional, he feels like he's up there with the best of them.

"I think he would be an ideal King's Stand horse for sure."

Oliver, who rode the Peter Moody-trained Magnus into third place behind Miss Andretti in the 2007 King's Stand Stakes (1000m), said he would love to ride Nicconi in that event this year.

Wanted was the best of the Moody trio in the Lightning finishing second, with Headway fifth and new recruit Duporth sixth.